A conference was held last week to mark the founding of
Taharas Cohanim -- The Union of Cohanim in Eretz Hakodesh and
the Diaspora.
Among the cohanim on hand were HaRav Yosef HaCohen
Roth, av beis din at HaRav Nissim Karelitz' beis
din and head of Beis Dovid Institutes; HaRav Shmuel
Boruch HaCohen Deutsch, one of the roshei yeshivos at
Yeshivas Kol Torah; HaRav Nosson HaCohen Kopshitz, moroh
de'asra of the Nachalah Umenuchah neighborhood in Beit
Shemesh; and HaRav Shlomo HaCohen Kahn, a moreh
horo'oh at HaRav Shmuel Wosner's beis din.
The conference was opened by HaRav Dovid HaCohen Munk, the
son-in- law of HaRav Yisroel Gans, one of the founders of the
Union and author of the book Taharas HaCohanim, who
read aloud blessings sent by poskei hador, including
Maran HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv, shlita, who called
the union a worthy endeavor since the power of the masses
would allow numerous problems to be solved. Other well-
wishers included HaRav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner, HaRav Nissim
Karelitz and HaRav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg.
Later the conference, attended by the country's leading
activists in matters affecting cohanim, surveyed the
many problems cohanim encounter in daily life as a
result of technological innovation. Although chareidi
representatives try to find practical and halachic solutions
to various problems, they find it difficult to man the watch
at all times and in all places. In addition to the lack of
basic real-time information in the field, speakers noted that
many cohanim exhibit a lack of awareness regarding the
obligations, guidelines and details of maintaining
taharoh.
Union heads presented the organization's official aims of
working to alter common thinking and attitudes regarding
taharas cohanim in Eretz Yisroel. The Union's
representatives will lobby government officials to recognize
the special needs of cohanim. The directors of the
Union will also work to set up shiurim for
cohanim around the country and to publish a special
newsletter to convey updated information.
Speakers also mentioned the success of the Taharas Cohanim
beis horo'oh, which has been operating for several
months to provide answers to new questions that arise. The
rabbonim who man the beis horo'oh pass difficult
questions on to gedolei haposkim to render final
decisions.
As soon as the conference concluded, the first meeting was
held, with all participants infused with a recognition that
while "there is much work to be done nobody can absolve
himself from it," and besiyata deShmaya, they would
merit the blessings of gedolei Yisroel to increase
purity until the day when the cohanim can return to
their holy work in the Beis Hamikdosh.
